Local icon the Watsons Bay Milk Bar up for sale
The owner of Watsons Bay Milk Bar Con Georgiou often gets called ‘The Mayor of Watsons Bay’ because he “knows what’s going on with everybody”.
“We as a business and as a family get involved with everything in the community where we can help,” Georgiou says.
“The Milk Bar is a safe house for kids — we love all the kids around here — it’s been a fantastic seven years, it really has.”
But now the famous building and business that Georgiou and his wife, Olga, restored and rebuilt — it’s appreciated by locals, tourists and celebrities such as Russell Crowe as an old-fashioned family milk bar with 1950s memorabilia — is on the market with a $2.9 million guide.
Selling agent Evan Williams of Ray White TRG (The Rubinstein Group) says it would suit a couple wanting to make a lifestyle change or even an investor: “The business has tripled its takings, going from a quaint little store to a hustling bustling cafe with all the smallgoods you need.
The facade of the Watsons Bay Milk Bar.
“It’s probably the only place to get a good cup of coffee in Watsons Bay.”
When Georgiou bought the shop with four-bedroom residence above at 10 Military Rd — for $2,025,000 in 2015 (they rented for two years previously) — it had been in the same family for decades.
“It was a phased-out corner store on its last legs and we transformed it,” Georgiou says.
Behind the counter at the Watsons Bay Milk Bar. Picture: Craig Wilson
“We kept all the essentials — newspapers, milk and fruit and veg — but had to diversify with a focus on food: breakfast, lunch and coffee.
“Our customers do say we have the best coffee in the bay.
“And we make the best milkshakes in Sydney.
Rewind to 2014: Olga and Con Georgiou with their Mini Cooper ute soon after they bought the Watsons Bay business. Picture: John Appleyard.
The living room in the residence above the Milk Bar.
“We’re strongly supported by locals and with our strong presence on social media a lot of tourists come to the store because of the nostalgia attached to it.”
Although the coffee and food is better, the two renovations — one when they first took over and another in 2017 — have focused on recreating the old-fashioned look.
Entry is via two big 200-year-old timber doors sourced from Argentina. There are lollies for visiting kids on the big timber counter, an an old copper cash register with traditional signage everywhere. And Georgiou drives round in a 1970s Mini Cooper ute.
Location, location!
“We want kids and families to have that same sort of feeling as when we were kids,” Georgiou says.
“It’s not a modern-day convenience store — it’s nostalgic and personal with friendly staff …. kids are always going to walk out with something.”
The Georgious are planning to move to the central coast and take a year off. “Seven days a week — we’re tired,” he says.
He says the Milk Bar is a fantastic opportunity. “It would suit someone willing to work and integrate with the community first and foremost because this will be home.” he says.
This article from The Wentworth Courier originally appeared as “Watsons Bay Milk Bar for sale as ‘Mayor of Watsons Bay’ Con Georgiou prepares to sign off”.
